Looking for 4.6 stroker engine feedback
- Thread starter Darweesh
- Start date
I have a Golen stroker and there are several others with strokers on 33s (@SkylinesSuck and @Rickyd for example). Its a good upgrade from stock (around 25% increase in RW hp/tq) but not as powerful as you might think based on Golen engine dyno numbers. Advantages besides the power are:
1. Ease of swap (pretty much bolt in).
2. Stock cooling system still works well.
3. Probably cheaper than crate V8 swap (even though still expensive).
4. Your stock drive train is fine.
Disadvantages are:
1. Less power than you were hoping for.
I have details of my install, driving impressions and stock vs stroker dyno results in my build thread;
Good luck!
1. Ease of swap (pretty much bolt in).
2. Stock cooling system still works well.
3. Probably cheaper than crate V8 swap (even though still expensive).
4. Your stock drive train is fine.
Disadvantages are:
1. Less power than you were hoping for.
I have details of my install, driving impressions and stock vs stroker dyno results in my build thread;
Stroker Dyno Results are in… and they are not what I hoped for:
After 600 miles on the new engine, it had its first oil change and I headed back to the same Mustang Dyno the original 155K 4.0 was measured on in June when the motor made 136 hp and 168 ft.lbs. This calculated to represent a 24% drivetrain loss vs Jeep’s stock crankshaft numbers (181 hp and 222 ft.lbs). The now installed 4.6L stroker made 280 HP and 320 ft.lbs on a SuperFlow engine dyno in May. That was with no accessories, a holly stand-alone EFI system and an open header. I supposed Jeep may have used similar...
After 600 miles on the new engine, it had its first oil change and I headed back to the same Mustang Dyno the original 155K 4.0 was measured on in June when the motor made 136 hp and 168 ft.lbs. This calculated to represent a 24% drivetrain loss vs Jeep’s stock crankshaft numbers (181 hp and 222 ft.lbs). The now installed 4.6L stroker made 280 HP and 320 ft.lbs on a SuperFlow engine dyno in May. That was with no accessories, a holly stand-alone EFI system and an open header. I supposed Jeep may have used similar...
Good luck!
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I did consider a turbo. The thing that waves me off is cooling issues in the TJ platform. I'm aware plenty have had good success with V8s or boosted stock motors in trail rigs, but clearly you have to do right and not everyone does. For a lot of street driving (including the kind I do) cooling is probably less of an issue. But for trails (Moab for example when your ambient temp gauge says 120 deg, and your creeping along with no airflow) high power density motors worry me a bit.
My stock, completely unmolested 4.0 runs great. I too don't want to get greedy and ruin it.
-Mac
-Mac
Titan is popular in the Sunshine State
https://titanengines.com/jeep-strokers/titan-high-performance-jeep-stroker-engine-4-6-4-7/
Being in UAE I think a stroker is a good bolt in option for you. Those gears with those tires will feel great.
I have a Golen stroker and there are several others with strokers on 33s (@SkylinesSuck and @Rickyd for example). Its a good upgrade from stock (around 25% increase in RW hp/tq) but not as powerful as you might think based on Golen engine dyno numbers. Advantages besides the power are:
1. Ease of swap (pretty much bolt in).
2. Stock cooling system still works well.
3. Probably cheaper than crate V8 swap (even though still expensive).
4. Your stock drive train is fine.
Disadvantages are:
1. Less power than you were hoping for.
I have details of my install, driving impressions and stock vs stroker dyno results in my build thread;
Stroker Dyno Results are in… and they are not what I hoped for:
After 600 miles on the new engine, it had its first oil change and I headed back to the same Mustang Dyno the original 155K 4.0 was measured on in June when the motor made 136 hp and 168 ft.lbs. This calculated to represent a 24% drivetrain loss vs Jeep’s stock crankshaft numbers (181 hp and 222 ft.lbs). The now installed 4.6L stroker made 280 HP and 320 ft.lbs on a SuperFlow engine dyno in May. That was with no accessories, a holly stand-alone EFI system and an open header. I supposed Jeep may have used similar...
Good luck!
I have a Golen stroker and there are several others with strokers on 33s (@SkylinesSuck and @Rickyd for example). Its a good upgrade from stock (around 25% increase in RW hp/tq) but not as powerful as you might think based on Golen engine dyno numbers. Advantages besides the power are:
1. Ease of swap (pretty much bolt in).
2. Stock cooling system still works well.
3. Probably cheaper than crate V8 swap (even though still expensive).
4. Your stock drive train is fine.
Disadvantages are:
1. Less power than you were hoping for.
I have details of my install, driving impressions and stock vs stroker dyno results in my build thread;
Stroker Dyno Results are in… and they are not what I hoped for:
After 600 miles on the new engine, it had its first oil change and I headed back to the same Mustang Dyno the original 155K 4.0 was measured on in June when the motor made 136 hp and 168 ft.lbs. This calculated to represent a 24% drivetrain loss vs Jeep’s stock crankshaft numbers (181 hp and 222 ft.lbs). The now installed 4.6L stroker made 280 HP and 320 ft.lbs on a SuperFlow engine dyno in May. That was with no accessories, a holly stand-alone EFI system and an open header. I supposed Jeep may have used similar...
Good luck!
Thanks so much for the advice
Be aware many many folks in the States run in to flat tappet cam failures now days, myself included. This is not a function of it being a stroker motor (or jeep motor specific even), but many strokers come with high lift cams and stiff valve springs. Nobody has definitively figured out the root cause, but that fact likely makes the issue worse. Be sure to properly follow break in procedures using correct oil. It also might be worth mentioning it to Golen when you order and see if they have any input or recommendations if you think it's a concern (and it should be).
That's the leading theory, but boutique high ZDDP oils haven't solved it. Some people blame bad cam cores, some crappy lifter quality, some narrow cam lobes. I am having an Oldsmobile big block built for Grandpa's car. The builder has seen several cam failures as well and isn't sure why when they worked fine for years. He only builds roller lifter motors now. Unfortunately it's not an option for us.
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That is very interesting point .. I should ask Golen before order it and if there is any recommendation I will share it with you
Strokers perform the way a stock 4.0l should have. That feeling of barely being adequate goes away.
They might not be a hot rod v8 but can be more than enough to have fun with.
I second the warning about proper engine break in. @Woodrow doesn't golen offer that service? It would be one less thing they can accuse you of if there does wind up being a cam issue later
They might not be a hot rod v8 but can be more than enough to have fun with.
I second the warning about proper engine break in. @Woodrow doesn't golen offer that service? It would be one less thing they can accuse you of if there does wind up being a cam issue later
I've had no issues with my ECTs overheating in the the AZ rocks, Moab, Sand Hollow dunes, or while pulling a loaded Uhaul up big grades near the Hoover dam driving from Vegas to Tucson. My ECTs basically don't care if I'm in boost and I've been watching that close for over a year.
I've had less fun with higher powered NA engines than I do with this setup. The sling-shot effect makes it all feel magical and it's very addicting. No need to add a stroker to this and worry about it holding up on long trips. This is a nice amount of power for a reliable build.
I'm a bit surprised that so few of the TJs have one of these Banks kits installed. I assume many people were afraid of what they didn't understand, they didn't like the price, and/or V8 swaps used to be much cheaper than they are now days.
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This is the leading reason why I stopped considering a stroker...I saw so many threads of people dealing with cam issues. I saw ZDDP being pushed, but some folks had cam failures after running ZDDP additives or high-zinc oils for break-in.
I noticed that the cam failure issues seemed to be largely due to the higher-rated springs and more aggressive cam profiles with the flat tappet design...not so much because of the stroker itself as you pointed out. That said, my fear alarm is still going off due to the unexplained failures.
In your opinion, is a stock 4.0L's cam longevity and chances of failure the same as a stroker's with a stock cam and springs?
Additionally, could the failures also be due to the lifters? I read that the lifters available these days are lower in quality, but I don't know if that's true or if it matters for the purpose of preserving the cam.
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Just by virtue of the fact there are so many stock 4.0s running around, it would seem they live longer. My stock 4.0 ate a cam lobe though (which started me down my engine modding journey) back in 2003 so it isn't fool proof.
FIFY.
It's a pet peeve of mine that many lump cam issues in with the parts that make a stroker.
if someone was really worried they could put their stock cam and lifters back into a rebuilt and or stroked 4.0l. Add a ported big valve head for better flow
Nitrided cams are supposed to solve the cam lobe issue. But finding quality lifters is still a problem.
Dang you’ve had your rig all this time?!
Yea man, how many newish 4.0L builds have we seen fail when reading the forum. Some workers can build a stroker equally as bad as they can build a stock 4.0L.
I always figured your engine had stiffer springs and an aggressive cam based on how choppy and awesome the stroker sounded.